WASHINGTON: Pakistan’s former ambassador to the United States, Husain Haqqani, was honoured with the Distinguished Service Award For the Advancement of Public Discourse on Foreign Policy by the American Committee on Foreign Relations (ACFR).
Haqqani was presented the award at a ceremony in Washington attended by ACFR members from across the United States, gathered for the organisation's 17thAnnual Conference.
Presenting the award, ACFR President John Brierley said that Haqqani had “served his country in exemplary fashion as a journalist, scholar, educator, diplomat.” He said that the former ambassador had managed the US-Pakistan relationship in difficult times and had brought the message of friendship with Pakistan to many remote parts of the US, and that he had “served with distinction as Pakistan's ambassador the United States from 2008 to 2011.”
“[Haqqani] has shown an extraordinary commitment to improving relations between the US and Pakistan,” Brierley said, adding that the former ambassador's willingness to take risks in reaching out and arguing the case for Pakistan-US relations had earned him a unique place among diplomats serving in the country.
Speaking on the occasion, Husain Haqqani said that the greatest barrier to good relations between nations was the prejudice between their people.
“Americans must not view Pakistan as a stereotype and just through the prism of their fight against terrorism. Pakistanis need to be told the American point of view without use of force and with respect for the country’s sovereignty,” he observed. Dialogue and negotiations in relations between countries along with patience and perseverance were important virtues in diplomacy, Haqqani said.
The American Committees on Foreign Relations (ACFR) is a non profit association dedicated to facilitating debate on international events--primarily as they relate to the formulation and implementation of US foreign policy.
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His views seem to have undergone some change. It seems that he no longer condones the American policy of using force against Pakistan, in particular the blatant violation of this country's sovereignty and teritorial integrity through their incessant drone attacks
I think this guy deserves this award.
Former Ambassador recognised for 'exemplary' diplomatic discourse
..of course to his pay-masters at the State Department!
Congrats and good going Mr Haqqani. We hope to get you reinstated as the ambassador or a senator sooner than later.
How a PCO judge getting an award is plastered over the news while this is carefully left out I wonder.
While most of the Pakistanis were embarrassed, shocked, mum and ashamed after the Abbottabad raid and killing of OBL, HH was bravely and shamelessly supporting the cause of Pakistan and army in the US. He has done a wonderful job for Pakistan in its most difficult circumstances. However, the mullah/military and judiciary alliance threw him under the bus for Mansoor Ijaz a worst vocal enemy of Pakistan and it armed forces. Kudos to HH and a learning lesson for the others. Even if we are blinded by the rightwing most of the world knows the facts and can see the right from the wrong.